Exhaust structure of vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

An exhaust structure of a vacuum cleaner prevents reduction in vacuum force by air leakage resulting from inclination of a dust container towards one side, and permits reduction in use of a sealing material. The exhaust structure comprises a main body having a suction port and a discharge port formed thereon, a suction fan positioned inside the discharge port, a dust container mounted at one side of a flow passage between the suction port and the discharge port and having a suction opening and an exhaust opening formed at one side thereof, and an exhaust conduit extending between the exhaust opening and the discharge port.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner, and, more particularly, to an exhaust structure of a vacuum cleaner, which comprises suction and exhaust openings formed at one side of a dust container, and an exhaust conduit provided outside the dust container, thereby preventing the dust container from tilting towards one side by pressure causing air and foreign substances to be induced into a main body of the vacuum cleaner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, according to shapes and using postures, vacuum cleaners can be classified into a canister type vacuum cleaner, which provides convenience in corner cleaning and movement while allowing easy replacement of a brush or a nozzle, and an upright type vacuum cleaner, which provides convenience in maintenance and allows easy cleaning of a large space.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a conventional upright type vacuum cleaner.

The conventional upright type vacuum cleaner comprises a suction unit 2 to suck air containing foreign substances on a floor, a main body 4 mounted on an upper side of the suction unit 2 and containing a suction means therein to suck the air, and a handle 6 installed to an upper side of the main body 4 so as to be gripped by a user.

As the vacuum cleaner is operated, the suction unit 2 sucks air containing dust and foreign substances through a collection opening formed at a lower side thereof while moving on a floor to be cleaned.

The main body 4 is provided with the suction means to suck the air through the suction unit 2 therein. Accordingly, the air is sucked through the lower surface of the suction unit 2 by operation of the suction means received in the main body 4.

A lower portion of the main body 4 is hinged to a rear side of the suction unit 2 such that the main body 4 can be tilted rearwards at a predetermined angle with respect to the suction unit 2.

The handle 6 is installed to the upper side of the handle 4 such that, when using the vacuum cleaner, the user grips the handle 6, and manipulates the vacuum cleaner.

For example, when performing a cleaning operation for a part desired to be cleaned, the user grips the handle 6, and adjusts an inclined angle of the main body 4 with respect to the suction unit 2.

A dust container 8 is detachably mounted to the main body 4 through a front center of the main body 4. The dust container 8 filters, and collects the foreign substances from the air sucked thereto through the suction unit 2.

In the conventional vacuum cleaner shown in FIG. 1, the dust container 8 collects the foreign substances from the air sucked thereto in a cyclone manner.

For air flow in the conventional upright type vacuum cleaner constructed as above, first, air containing dust and foreign substances is sucked through a suction port formed at the lower surface of the suction unit 2 via operation of the suction means received in the main body 4.

The sucked air flows into the dust container 8 via the main body 4. Then, with the foreign substances removed from the air in the dust container 8, the air is discharged to an outside through an exhaust outlet via an interior of the main body 4.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the dust container of FIG. 1, which has a suction opening 21 formed at an upper portion, and an exhaust opening 22 formed at a lower portion.

If the suction opening is formed at the upper portion of the dust container, and the exhaust opening is formed at the lower portion thereof, a vacuum force increases during driving of the vacuum cleaner, and causes an increase in shielding force at the suction opening, which results in a problem of reducing the suction force of the vacuum cleaner.

In addition, since an exhaust conduit passing through the dust container is disposed straightly, a pressure increase caused by the vacuum force forces the dust container to be inclined to the suction opening side so that a gap is created between the main body and the dust container at a connecting portion around the exhaust opening opposite to the suction opening, thereby causing a reduction in vacuum force, and air leakage.

In order to solve the problem, sealing materials must be provided to both the suction opening and the exhaust opening between the dust container and the main body, thereby increasing the number of components. Accordingly, there is a need of an improved vacuum cleaner which overcomes the problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the conventional vacuum cleaner, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust structure of a vacuum cleaner, in which suction and exhaust openings are formed at one side of a dust container, thereby preventing air leakage at a connecting portion around the exhaust opening even when a dust container is tilted to the suction opening side by a vacuum force, and reducing use of a sealing material.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an exhaust structure of a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a main body having a suction port and a discharge port formed thereon; a suction fan positioned inside the discharge port; a dust container mounted at one side of a flow passage between the suction port and the discharge port and having a suction opening and an exhaust opening formed at one side thereof; and an exhaust conduit extending between the exhaust opening and the discharge port.

Preferably, the suction port is formed at an upper end of the main body, and the discharge port is formed at a lower front side of the main body, the main body having a mounting part formed between the suction port and the discharge port such that the dust container is detachably mounted to the mounting part of the main body in a sliding manner.

Preferably, the exhaust structure further comprises a soft sealing material interposed between an upper surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust opening.

Preferably, the exhaust structure further comprises a cover installed to a lower end of the exhaust conduit connected to the suction fan to cover an induction port of the suction fan.

Preferably, the exhaust structure further comprises a housing fastened to the main body to define the suction fan, the housing having a discharge hole formed on a surface facing a discharge outlet of the suction fan and to which a filter is installed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional upright type vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a dust container of the conventional upright type vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a dust container of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting structure of an exhaust conduit in the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a dust container of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention comprises: a main body 10 having a predetermined space defined therein, and having a suction port 12 and a discharge port 14; a suction unit 15 detachably attached to a lower side of the main body 10 to stand the main body 10 upright, and having a dust collection port (not shown) and a discharge opening 18; a suction hose 70 positioned between the suction port 12 and the discharge opening 18; an extension pipe 30 detachably attached to the main body 10 and having a hollow space to define a flow passage along which dust is induced; a handle 20 detachably mounted to an upper end of the extension pipe 30 to further define the flow passage along which the dust is induced; a suction fan 62 positioned at one side of the flow passage extending from the suction port 12 to the discharge port 14; a dust container 50 detachably mounted at one side of the flow passage; and a filter 60 positioned inside the discharge port 14.

The construction described above constitutes an upright type vacuum cleaner, as an example, to which the exhaust structure of the present invention can be applied. This vacuum cleaner can be converted into a canister type vacuum cleaner in such a way that, after separating the extension pipe 30 and the handle 20 from the main body 10, the suction hose 70 is disconnected from the discharge opening 18, and is connected with the handle 20, followed by separating the main body 10 from the suction unit 15. In this regard, it should be noted that the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can be applied to any kind of vacuum cleaner which comprises the dust collecting container and the filter, such as a general canister type vacuum cleaner and a general upright type vacuum cleaner.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a mounting structure of an exhaust conduit in the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

The exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention comprises: the main body 10 having the predetermined space defined therein, and having the suction port 12 and the discharge port 14; the suction fan 62 positioned inside the discharge port 14; the dust container 50 mounted into the main body through one side of the flow passage between the suction port 12 and the discharge port 14, and having a suction opening 52 and an exhaust opening 54 formed at one side thereof; and an exhaust conduit 82 extending between the exhaust opening 54 and the discharge port 14.

With this structure, when the suction fan 62 is driven, foreign substances and air are induced through the suction port 12, and flow into the dust container 50 via the suction opening 52 of the dust container 50. Then, the foreign substances are collected in the dust container 50 by means of a dust collection filter 56 as shown in FIG. 7. Meanwhile, the air with the foreign substances primarily filtered therefrom flows towards a lower side of the main body 10 along the exhaust conduit 82 through the exhaust opening 54, and is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 14.

At this point, inclination of the dust container 50 towards one side occurs due to a vacuum force from the suction fan 62. However, according to the present invention, since the suction opening 52 and the exhaust opening 54 are formed on the upper surface of the dust container 50, it is possible to prevent the air from being leaked at a connected portion between the dust container and the main body even when the dust container 50 is inclined towards the side where the suction opening 52 and the exhaust opening 54 are formed.

The suction port 12 is formed at an upper end of the main body 10, and the discharge port 14 is formed at a lower front side thereof. In addition, the main body 10 has a mounting part formed between the suction port 12 and the discharge port 14 such that the dust container 50 is detachably mounted to the mounting part of the main body in a sliding manner. For smooth insertion and detachment of the dust container 50, it is desirable that the mounting part 11 be slightly smaller than the dust container 50. In this regard, when the suction fan 62 is driven, the dust container 50 is inclined towards the suction port 12.

Thus, a soft sealing material 86 is disposed between an upper end of the exhaust conduit 82 and the exhaust opening 54, preventing reduction in vacuum force due to air leakage between the exhaust conduit and the exhaust opening.

A cover 84 is provided to a lower end of the exhaust conduit 82 connected with the suction fan 62 to prevent air from being leaked between the suction fan 82 and the exhaust conduit 82. The cover 84 has a circular dish shape which can cover an upper side of the suction fan 62, and is formed at one side with a protruded hole coupled to the exhaust conduit 82, as shown in FIG. 5.

In addition, a housing 64 is fastened to the main body 10 to define the front side of the suction fan 62, and has a discharge hole 64 a formed through a surface facing a discharge outlet 62 a of the suction fan 62 such that a filter 60 is installed at a front side of the discharge hole 64 a. Accordingly, foreign substances contained in the air are secondarily filtered when they flow to the discharge port 14 through the discharge hole 64 a, thereby permitting maintenance of fresh environment in the room.

Operation of the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention will be described hereinafter.

First, when power is applied to the vacuum cleaner and drives the suction fan 62, dust and other foreign substances are induced through the suction port 12, and flow into the dust container 50 through the suction opening 52. Then, the foreign substances are collected in the dust container 50 by means of the dust collection filter 56, while the air flows into the suction fan 62 along the exhaust conduit 82 through the exhaust opening 54 and is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 14 via the discharge hole 64 a of the housing 64.

The air is secondarily filtered while passing through the filter 60. At this time, the sealing material 86 and the cover 84 prevent the air from being leaked between the exhaust conduit 82 and the dust container 50 and between the exhaust conduit 82 and the suction fan.

As a result, the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention can prevent the reduction of the vacuum force by the air leakage resulting from inclination of the dust container towards one side, and can permit reduction in use of a sealing material.

According to the present invention, in the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner, the suction opening and the exhaust opening are formed at one side of the dust container, and the discharge conduit is installed from the exhaust opening to the discharge port of the main body such that, even when the dust container is tilted towards one side during driving of the vacuum cleaner, it is possible to prevent reduction in vacuum force caused by a loss of air, thereby enhancing an operation efficiency of the vacuum cleaner and reducing consumption of electricity.

In addition, since the exhaust structure of the vacuum cleaner according to the present invention prevents the air leakage, an excessive number of sealing materials is not required, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. An exhaust structure of a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a main body having a suction port and a discharge port formed thereon; a suction fan positioned inside the discharge port; a dust container mounted at one side of a flow passage between the suction port and the discharge port, and having a suction opening and an exhaust opening formed at one side thereof; and an exhaust conduit extending between the exhaust opening and the discharge port.
 2. The exhaust structure according to claim 1, wherein the suction port is formed at an upper end of the main body, and the discharge port is formed at a lower front side of the main body, the main body having a mounting part formed between the suction port and the discharge port such that the dust container is detachably mounted to the mounting part of the main body in a sliding manner.
 3. The exhaust structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a soft sealing material interposed between an upper surface of the exhaust conduit and the exhaust opening.
 4. The exhaust structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a cover installed at a lower end of the exhaust conduit connected to the suction fan to cover an induction port of the suction fan.
 5. The exhaust structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing fastened to the main body to define the suction fan, the housing having a discharge hole formed on a surface facing a discharge outlet of the suction fan and to which a filter is installed. 